Election Day weather in Maryland: Rain forecast through the afternoon, severe storms possible on Eastern Shore

Heavy rain was falling across Maryland and much of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast on Election Day, and a line of potentially severe early afternoon thunderstorms could hit parts of the state Tuesday afternoon.

Periods of heavy rain and showers are likely through the afternoon, forecasters said. And then a cold front is expected to cross the region midday Tuesday, bringing a chance for severe weather — especially in Southern Maryland and on the Eastern Shore.

National Weather Service forecasters said “gusty to damaging” winds are possible, and “a couple tornadoes can’t be ruled out, either.” Temperatures were slow to climb Tuesday morning, remaining in the mid-50s, diminishing earlier predictions of stormy weather for Central Maryland.

“It’s going to be hit or miss if there’s thunderstorms,” said Jeremy Geiger, a meteorologist at the weather service’s Baltimore/Washington forecast office. “So far it’s mostly a rain event.”

The weather service’s Storm Prediction Center is calling for a “slight” risk of severe weather on the Eastern Shore and in Southern Maryland, indicating about 15 percent chances of damaging winds and 2 percent chances of tornadoes. The center suggests “marginal” chances for severe storms along the Interstate 95 corridor in Central Maryland.